R3m 'cocaine' stash found in bags belonging to woman who had 'no luggage'

By NALEDI SHANGE - 22 February 2019

Two backpacks filled with 10.645kg of suspected cocaine were discovered on the carousel at OR Tambo International Airport, checked in by a woman claiming to have no luggage. Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

A woman who denied checking in any luggage had some explaining to do when two backpacks allegedly stuffed with R3m worth of cocaine were found on the carousel at OR Tambo International Airport.

One of the backpacks allegedly containing cocaine. Image: Supplied by Sars

The SA Revenue Services (Sars) said that the woman, "who arrived from Sao Paulo, initially denied checking in any luggage" on Thursday.

"However, when the officers enquired further, it was established that she had checked in luggage weighing 23kg," Sars said in a statement.

"The officers then found her checked-in bag on the carousel. During a physical inspection of the bag, two backpacks filled with 10.645kg of suspected cocaine were discovered and the woman was immediately detained."

Sars said it was making progress tracing those engaged in illegal activities "through months of intense surveillance and observing various flights".

The woman is expected to appear in the Kempton Park magistrate's court on a charge of drug smuggling.